Last weekend on Sunday, April 2, Will got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. It still seems surreal. We are SO excited to start this new chapter of our lives, and I’m trying to soak up every little part of this new and fun journey we’re starting together.

Before any more time goes by, I want to share what happened leading up to the proposal. I figured this way I don’t have to worry about ever forgetting the details. So, just think of this post as a diary entry. 🙂

The Lead-Up

Will and I had a weekend away planned for a couple months and we invited another couple to stay with on Saturday night. We found a cabin on Airbnb near Luray, Va. It was on a mountainside and had a hot tub and fire pit – what more did we need?!

We drove out there on Friday after work and ate dinner on the way. Though we hopped in the hot tub upon our arrival, we were pretty tired and didn’t stay up too late. On Saturday, we went to Luray Caverns and explored the town of Luray. If you’re ever in the mountains of Virginia and you haven’t see underground caverns, definitely stop by this town and check them out.

Saturday night we cooked out with our friends and had a big bonfire outside. We stayed up late and slept in. Once we were checked out, we headed into Luray for lunch outside. It was such a beautiful day! Will and I had made a reservation to go horseback riding at Fort Valley Ranch. Unfortunately, our friends werent able to go with us. But after we said goodbye to them, we walked with Maddie along a river trail that cuts right through the little town of Luray. We chased ducks and chatted until it was time to head to the ranch.

Getting Engaged: The Big Day

The drive to Fort Valley was beautiful, with two-lane, windy roads that followed miles of farmland. When we got there, we found out it would be just us and our guide’s mother riding on the trail. My horse was Rusty, and Will’s was Bo. This was the first time Will had been on a horse in more than 15 years, so I really enjoyed watching him try to act like a cowboy. We rode for 90 minutes, up and down the mountainside, and it flew by.

After the ride, Will suggested we walk back up to the pond that we had ridden along. We walk around a lot, so I honestly didn’t think anything of it. When we got there we walked around a little. Will commented on a giant bass in the pond. I remember him telling me that he hadn’t worn the nice jeans I got him for his birthday because he didn’t want his knee to get dirty. At that point, I was thinking, “Is he saying this because what I think is about to happen, is about to happen?!” Then he said some amazing things, and the next thing I knew he was down on one knee asking me to marry him!

I am still surprised as to how he pulled it off. I really didn’t think we’d be getting engaged that weekend. The ring was in his truck or in his pocket up until the proposal, and I had no idea. Since we were with another couple for a lot of the weekend, a proposal of any kind was the last thing on my mind.  It’s amazing to me how nicely it all worked out. It was a truly wonderful moment, and I know I will remember it forever. I feel so lucky to have Will in my life, and even more lucky that we’re starting this new chapter together.

If you all have an engagement story or advice for a newly engaged couple, I’d love to hear! Share your experience getting engaged in the comments

Cheers!

Sarah Camille